{"id":60704,"date":"2026-07-25T15:47:59","date_gmt":"2026-07-25T15:47:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/60704\/"},"modified":"2026-07-25T15:47:59","modified_gmt":"2026-07-25T15:47:59","slug":"world-cup-2026-spain-wins-final-against-argentina-as-ferran-torres-scores-extra-time-winner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/60704\/","title":{"rendered":"World Cup 2026: Spain wins final against Argentina as Ferran Torres scores extra-time winner"},"content":{"rendered":"

Spain has beaten Argentina 1-0 to win the 2026 World Cup, with Ferran Torres coming off the bench to score the winner in extra time against 10-man Argentina.<\/p>\n

Torres’s goal came at the start of the second period of extra time, after a furiously tense final at the New York\/New Jersey stadium in Meadowlands ended goalless after 90 minutes.<\/p>\n

The win gives Spain its second men’s World Cup title, echoing the extra-time goal by Andr\u00e9s Iniesta in 2010 that led to its first title.<\/p>\n

And it is impossible to say the European champion didn’t deserve it.<\/p>\n

Enzo Fern\u00e1ndez was sent off for a second yellow card in stoppage time at the end of normal time, clattering into young player of the tournament Pau Cubars\u00ed with an ugly challenge that sent the 19-year-old star flying.<\/p>\n

The 10 men of Argentina could not hang on against the increasingly relentless attack of the Spanish.<\/p>\n

Fern\u00e1ndez’s first yellow card was for dissent just 11 minutes earlier, one of six bookings the Argentines received in the game.<\/p>\n

He became the sixth player in history to be sent off in a World Cup final. Argentina account for half of those dismissals, with Pedro Monz\u00f3n and Gustavo Dezotti both sent off in the 1990 decider.<\/p>\n

Spain made all the running in today’s game, with Argentina failing to have a single shot in the opening 90 minutes of the contest.<\/p>\n

The level of Spain’s dominance can be illustrated by the fact it completed 235 passes in the final third of the pitch, while Argentina completed just 47.<\/p>\n

By the time the referee blew full time at the end of normal time, Spain had 15 total shots, 10 of them on target.<\/p>\n

Emi Mart\u00ednez was by far the more active of the goalkeepers, making a series of stops to deny Lamine Yamal from a free kick and a glancing header from Nico Williams.<\/p>\n

But he could do nothing to stop Torres’s strike just 37 seconds into the final 15-minute period of extra time.<\/p>\n

That was Spain’s 20th attempt on goal in the match and, up until then, Argentina had offered none.<\/p>\n

After going behind, the defending champion attempted to bring some pressure, with Lionel Messi fashioning chances from the right as Spain sat back and defended.<\/p>\n

But even the Argentine magician could not conjure a late miracle, with Argentina only finishing with two attempts at goal for the game, the first of which came 26 minutes into extra time, a woeful return when the trophy was on the line.<\/p>\n

Argentina was far more intent on niggly fouls than playing football, its 25 fouls the most in a World Cup game since their 2022 victory in the final against France.<\/p>\n

After full time, Leandro Paredes disgraced himself by starting a scuffle with celebrating Spanish players, the 32-year-old shown a post-match red card.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The scrappy game was not helped by a 27-minute half time break, the longest at a World Cup, to accommodate an underwhelming and poorly received Super Bowl-style show.<\/p>\n

US President Donald Trump presented the trophy to the victors, hovering awkwardly at the side of the stage as Spain captain and player of the tournament Rodri lifted the trophy.<\/p>\n

Look back at how all the action unfolded in our live blog.<\/p>\n

Mon 20 Jul 2026 at 9:54am<\/p>\n

Mon 20 Jul 2026 at 9:54am<\/p>\n

Spain are the champions\"Simon\"\"(Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Thank you so much for being with us over the past few weeks.<\/p>\n

I can honestly say that it has been a real pleasure to bring you all the action from the tournament.<\/p>\n

And I know I speak for the whole team when I say that, so thank you from our blogging team Pokuah Frimpong, Henry Hanson, Dean Bilton, David Hirst, Chris De Silva and Andrew McGarry.<\/p>\n

Amanda Shalala, Tom Wildie and Dave Mark on the ground in America, Canada and Mexico also deserve a lot of praise, as indeed does Kyle Pollard for all the work behind the scenes.<\/p>\n

So that’s it!<\/p>\n

The biggest World Cup ever has come to its conclusion.<\/p>\n

We’ll all take plenty of happy memories away from it and, I am sure, some not-so-happy ones too.<\/p>\n

But that’s the joy of sport.<\/p>\n

Thanks once again for being with us. From all of us here, goodbye.<\/p>\n

Mon 20 Jul 2026 at 9:48am<\/p>\n

Mon 20 Jul 2026 at 9:48am<\/p>\n

Emiliano Mart\u00ednez made 11 saves in the final\"Simon\"\"(Getty Images)<\/p>\n

But he will acknowledge that he was not at the same level he was in 2022.<\/p>\n

Not that he would have been able to do anything about the goal.<\/p>\n

Mon 20 Jul 2026 at 9:46am<\/p>\n

Mon 20 Jul 2026 at 9:46am<\/p>\n

For king and country\"Simon\"\"(Getty Images)<\/p>\n

King Felipe VI was among the celebrations alongside Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofia.<\/p>\n

Mon 20 Jul 2026 at 9:23am<\/p>\n

Mon 20 Jul 2026 at 9:23am<\/p>\n

What a stat\"Simon<\/p>\n

Emiliano Mart\u00ednez made more saves in the final (11) than Unai Simon (10) made in the entire tournament.<\/p>\n

Mon 20 Jul 2026 at 9:16am<\/p>\n

Mon 20 Jul 2026 at 9:16am<\/p>\n

Scenes are, admittedly, less euphoric in Buenos AiresMon 20 Jul 2026 at 9:14am<\/p>\n

Mon 20 Jul 2026 at 9:14am<\/p>\n

Alan Shearer: ‘This is a result for football’\"Simon<\/p>\n

Former England striker Alan Shearer says that Spain were deserved winners.<\/p>\n

“There is no doubt that the right team won,” he says on the BBC.<\/p>\n

“From start to finish, Spain controlled possession, they were the ones looking to play football, create chances and get in behind.<\/p>\n

“This is a result for football because of the way that they have played.<\/p>\n

“Spain deserve it.”<\/p>\n

Mon 20 Jul 2026 at 9:11am<\/p>\n

Mon 20 Jul 2026 at 9:11am<\/p>\n

Plaza de Colon in Madrid is going off\"SimonMon 20 Jul 2026 at 9:06am<\/p>\n

Mon 20 Jul 2026 at 9:06am<\/p>\n

‘Together we are much stronger’: de la Fuente\"Simon<\/p>\n

Spain boss Luis de la Fuente also says that the feeling will take some time to settle in.<\/p>\n

“I can’t really tell you how I feel,” he says.<\/p>\n

“All I can say was it was worth it.<\/p>\n

“At the moment I am very emotional, particularly having watched from behind the scenes.<\/p>\n

“I have spoken so much to the players, who said to me, ‘Boss, we’ve won it all’, and it’s marvellous.<\/p>\n

“This generation of players is an example for Spanish sport, for the Spanish youth.<\/p>\n

“Together we are much stronger, and that is why we don’t forget anyone.”<\/p>\n

He pays credit to the Argentine team, who made it so difficult for the Spanish to break them down.<\/p>\n

“Of course we would have liked to win the game much sooner,” he says.<\/p>\n

“The Mart\u00ednez save prevented us from doing so.<\/p>\n

“We tried and tried to get on the scoresheet but weren’t able to, but this is a World Cup final, even against 10 men at the end we had to suffer.<\/p>\n

“But we like to suffer and I’ll say it again \u2013 we were prepared for everything.”<\/p>\n

Mon 20 Jul 2026 at 9:04am<\/p>\n

Mon 20 Jul 2026 at 9:04am<\/p>\n

Spain coach feels ‘so much pride’ for his ‘exceptional’ team\"Simon<\/p>\n

Spain boss Luis de la Fuente has been speaking post match.<\/p>\n

Understandably, he is thrilled to be the second coach of Spain to lead a side to the promised land as World Cup champions.<\/p>\n

“So much pride. Pride for this generation of footballers that have been growing with this idea, staying loyal to the idea and doing their best,” he says.<\/p>\n

“They are an example of a team, a group, a family and a collective of great players that have been exceptional.<\/p>\n

“I’m just so proud to have accompanied them on this journey. To have been there with them on this trajectory is an honour.”<\/p>\n

Mon 20 Jul 2026 at 8:58am<\/p>\n

Mon 20 Jul 2026 at 8:58am<\/p>\n

Spain now holds men’s and women’s World Cups\"Simon\"\"(Getty Images)<\/p>\n

It’s the first time a team has held both at the same time.<\/p>\n

\"\"(Getty Images)Mon 20 Jul 2026 at 8:57am<\/p>\n

Mon 20 Jul 2026 at 8:57am<\/p>\n

‘The goal came from 47 million people’: Torres\"Simon<\/p>\n

Ferran Torres spoke as he was given his player of the match award.<\/p>\n

“I think in the end the goal came from 47 million people, not just those of us that are here,” Torres says.<\/p>\n

“Today destiny was written, it was made for us to win. We’re far from our people today but we tried to be as close as possible to them.<\/p>\n

“Finals are hard.<\/p>\n

“When you have Messi on the opposing team you do get worried but we always backed ourselves and tried to show our football and I think we managed to do it once again.<\/p>\n

“A huge relief [to score]. I’ve been criticised throughout the whole tournament but as I said before, destiny was written.<\/p>\n

“Thanks to God. He always gives me the strength to continue and in the end he grants things to those that most deserve them.”<\/p>\n

Mon 20 Jul 2026 at 8:56am<\/p>\n

Mon 20 Jul 2026 at 8:56am<\/p>\n

Donald Trump stays for the trophy, again\"Simon<\/p>\n

So, Donald Trump has a bit of history for this.<\/p>\n

At the Club World Cup final trophy presentation last year, the US President was right in the middle of the Chelsea team as they lifted the trophy.<\/p>\n

The Chelsea players were a little bit surprised, as Gianni Infantino tried to usher him off.<\/p>\n

\"\"(Getty Images)<\/p>\n

It was similar today.<\/p>\n

Gianni Infantino went back the way he came, grabbing at the arm of the President, who went the other way.<\/p>\n

Infantino shuffled back across the front of the Spanish team after the President and, once again, tried to usher him away.<\/p>\n

He stands over to one side as Rodri waits a moment before lifting the World Cup.<\/p>\n

Great stuff.<\/p>\n

\"\"(Getty Images)Mon 20 Jul 2026 at 8:44am<\/p>\n

Mon 20 Jul 2026 at 8:44am<\/p>\n

Rodri lifts the World Cup trophy as Trump stands next to the celebrating players\"Simon\"\"(Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Donald Trump hands over the World Cup trophy, holding it with Gianni Infantino.<\/p>\n

\"\"(Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Donald Trump stays there, standing rather gormlessly next to the celebrating Spanish players as Rodri lifts the trophy!<\/p>\n

\"\"(Getty Images)Mon 20 Jul 2026 at 8:41am<\/p>\n

Mon 20 Jul 2026 at 8:41am<\/p>\n

The Spanish players are kissing the World Cup trophy\"Simon<\/p>\n

Medals on, the players are lining up behind the World Cup trophy on the podium.<\/p>\n

The Spain flag is stretched out across the pitch behind them.<\/p>\n

And all, almost to a man, are kissing the top of the trophy before it is lifted.<\/p>\n

\"\"(Getty Images)Mon 20 Jul 2026 at 8:39am<\/p>\n

Mon 20 Jul 2026 at 8:39am<\/p>\n

And here come the Spanish team\"Simon<\/p>\n

One at a time to get their gold medals from Gianni Infantino and Donald Trump.<\/p>\n

Mon 20 Jul 2026 at 8:37am<\/p>\n

Mon 20 Jul 2026 at 8:37am<\/p>\n

Messi is in tears\"Simon\"\"(Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Has it finally hit home?<\/p>\n

Is he realising that this is the end?<\/p>\n

Mon 20 Jul 2026 at 8:36am<\/p>\n

Mon 20 Jul 2026 at 8:36am<\/p>\n

Argentina come up to get their medals\"Simon\"\"(Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Lionel Messi leads Argentina up to collect their silver medals.<\/p>\n

Donald Trump is presenting the medals.<\/p>\n

The Argentine players look like they’d rather be anywhere else other than there to be honest.<\/p>\n

Mon 20 Jul 2026 at 8:35am<\/p>\n

Mon 20 Jul 2026 at 8:35am<\/p>\n

Kylian Mbapp\u00e9 is the golden ball winner\"Simon<\/p>\n

He’s not here to collect the award, but his two goals yesterday were enough to win him the golden boot ahead of Lionel Messi.<\/p>\n

Mon 20 Jul 2026 at 8:34am<\/p>\n

Mon 20 Jul 2026 at 8:34am<\/p>\n

Rodri is player of the tournament\"Simon\"\"(Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Rodri, the Manchester City midfielder, is the player of the tournament.<\/p>\n

He wins the Golden Ball.<\/p>\n

The Spanish captain has led the most dominant midfield of this tournament with aplomb.<\/p>\n

Mon 20 Jul 2026 at 8:33am<\/p>\n

Mon 20 Jul 2026 at 8:33am<\/p>\n

Unai Sim\u00f3n wins the golden glove\"Simon\"\"(Getty Images)<\/p>\n

The best keeper award\u00a0 is handed to Unai Sim\u00f3n.<\/p>\n

Again, a fitting reward for the best keeper in the tournament.<\/p>\n

That’s six clean sheets this tournament for the Athletic Bilbao stopper.<\/p>\n

Show more postsABC Sport Daily podcast<\/a><\/p>\n

ABC Sport Daily is your daily sports conversation. We dive into the biggest story of the day and get you up to speed with everything else that’s making headlines.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Spain has beaten Argentina 1-0 to win the 2026 World Cup, with Ferran Torres coming off the bench…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":60705,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[5005,4027,194,3358,2790,332,1876,22245,17,23607,369,23317],"class_list":["post-60704","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-spain","tag-2026-world-cup","tag-argentina","tag-donald-trump","tag-fifa-world-cup","tag-final","tag-lionel-messi","tag-live","tag-live-updates","tag-spain","tag-spain-vs-argentina","tag-world-cup","tag-world-cup-final"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/60704","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=60704"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/60704\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/60705"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=60704"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=60704"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=60704"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}